Method for handling control data for an electronic control device of an automatic transmission

ABSTRACT

Within the scope of the method for transfer of characteristic quantities or characteristic lines of an automatic transmission from the final test stand or transmission acceptance test stand to an electronic control, especially to the engine control, the characteristic quantities or characteristic lines of the final test stand or transmission acceptance test stand are recorded or stored on a portable data carrier clearly coordinated with the transmission so that at a later point in time the data can be read in and programmed in the engine control.

According to the preamble of claim 1, this invention relates to a method for transferring characteristic quantities or characteristic lines of an automatic transmission to an electronic control. The transmissions can be multi-step transmission or also continuously variable transmissions (CVT).

In automatic transmissions, according to the prior art, the functional relationship between pressure regulating current and the hydraulic pressure is determined in the servo component or control element by measuring a final test stand or transmission acceptance test stand. This function, which can be presented as a characteristic line, varies from transmission to transmission and, in addition, depends on temperature. When the electronic transmission control has this characteristic line being dependent on the single specimen available as a data set, the specimen-dependent controls can be taken as a lead and thus compensated during the pressure regulation control.

These characteristic quantities or characteristic lines (for example, pressure regulating characteristic lines) are stored or used in an electronic control with adaptive functions to make achieving a uniform shifting or regulation comfort possible. The electronic control is usually integrated in the transmission so that the characteristic quantities can be directly stored in the control.

Within the scope of new developments in the automobile technology, it has been provided that the electronic control (transmission control), in certain cases, is integrated in the engine control which means that the characteristic quantities of an automatic transmission cannot be directly stored in the control.

The problem on which this invention is based is to provide a method for transferring of the characteristic quantities of the automatic transmission from the final test stand or transmission acceptance test stand or mechatronics to an electronic control, particularly, to the engine control.

This problem is inventively solved by the features of claim 1. Other advantages and advantageous developments result from the sub-claims.

It is accordingly proposed to record or store the characteristic quantities or characteristic lines of the automatic transmission from the final test stand or transmission acceptance test stand on a portable data carrier clearly coordinated with a transmission so that at a later point in time, such as when the transmission has been assembled with the engine and the engine control, said data can be read into and programmed in the engine control.

The portable data carrier can preferably be a magnetic strip, a chip card, a bar code, a memory card or any other suitable storage device. This can be, for example, fastened on the transmission so as to prevent changes prior to the transfer of the data to the engine control.

This application claims priority from German Application Serial No. 103 48 754.9 filed Oct. 21. 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method for transfer of characteristic quantities or characteristic lines of an automatic transmission to an electronic control. Transmissions can be multi-step transmission or also continuously variable transmissions (CVT).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1. A method of transfer of characteristic quantities or characteristic lines of an automatic transmission from the final test stand or transmission acceptance test stand, or mechatronics to an electronic control, especially to an engine control, characterized in that the characteristic quantities or characteristic lines of the final test stand or transmission acceptance test stand are recorded or stored on a portable data carrier clearly coordinated with the transmission so that at a later point in time said data can be read in and programmed in the engine control.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that as portable data carrier is used a magnetic strip, a chip card, a bar code, a memory card, or any other suitable storage device that can be fastened on the transmission.

3. A method for transfer of at least one of a characteristic quantity and a characteristic line information of a transmission, generated during final testing of the transmission to an electronic control, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   storing the at least one information generated during the final         test of the transmission on a portable data carrier clearly         coordinated with the transmission; and     -   at a later point in time, transferring the stored information         from the portable data carrier clearly coordinated with the         transmission into the engine control for use in controlling         operation of the transmission.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of using one of:

-   -   a magnetic strip that can be secured to the transmission,     -   a chip card that can be secured to the transmission,     -   a bar code that can be secured to the transmission,     -   a memory card that can be secured to the transmission, and     -   a storage device that can be secured to the transmission as the         portable data carrier.

5. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of using an engine control as the electronic control.

6. A method for transfer of at least one of a characteristic quantity and a characteristic line of a transmission, generated during testing of the transmission, to an electronic control, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   testing the transmission and determining at least one of a         characteristics and acquire data pertaining to certain         transmission characteristics;     -   storing the determined data pertaining to the certain         transmission characteristics of the transmission on a data         carrier;     -   coordinating the data carrier with the tested transmission so         that the data carrier is transported along with the transmission         a further assembly area; and     -   at the further assembly area, transferring the determined data         pertaining to the certain transmission characteristics of the         transmission from the data to an engine control for use in         controlling operation of the transmission. 

1. A method of transfer of characteristic quantities or characteristic lines of an automatic transmission from the final test stand or transmission acceptance test stand, or mechatronics to an electronic control, especially to an engine control, characterized in that the characteristic quantities or characteristic lines of the final test stand or transmission acceptance test stand are recorded or stored on a portable data carrier clearly coordinated with the transmission so that at a later point in time said data can be read in and programmed in the engine control.
 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that as portable data carrier is used a magnetic strip, a chip card, a bar code, a memory card, or any other suitable storage device that can be fastened on the transmission. 